Author
Topic: On The Farm (Read 163918 times)

FIP in small sample sizes isn't great. FIP in the minor leagues isn't as useful either. Preventing hard contact for a pitcher in the minor leagues is a skill, so DIP isn't as useful as it is in the majors.

I'd really like to see Contreras added to the roster and called up for the month of September. He wouldn't see much game action with three other catchers on the roster, but he could learn a lot from Ross and Montero. The $85K or so that he'd earn wouldn't mean much to the Cubs, but it would surely be appreciated by a minor league player who probably didn't receive a huge signing bonus.

Logged

Reb

I'd really like to see Contreras added to the roster and called up for the month of September. He wouldn't see much game action with three other catchers on the roster, but he could learn a lot from Ross and Montero. The $85K or so that he'd earn wouldn't mean much to the Cubs, but it would surely be appreciated by a minor league player who probably didn't receive a huge signing bonus.

Contreras will be a six-year minor league free agent at end of season and, therefore, would seem to be a lock to be added to the 40-man after the season--given what he's doing now. He passed thru the Rule 5 undrafted last winter.

But, hard to see an opening for him on the 40-man in September. Cubs currently at 38, but when LaStella off the 60-day, that's 39, and presumably if/when Richard passes thru revocable waivers shortly and consents to an option to Iowa, he goes back on 40-man, on option, and roster will be full at 40. Also possible that Cubs may trade for somebody getting thru waivers in August--who would have to go on 40-man. Finally, in event Cubs wanted a 4th catcher, more likely to be Teagarden--who has big league experience--rather than a AA guy. Either would have to be added to 40-man, as Teagarden is on outright.

Christian Villanueva is on the 40-man, but will be out of options in 2016. He has no chance of either a September call-up or a spot on the Winter roster. They could also release one or more of Beeler, Jokisch, Medina or Schlitter.

Logged

Reb

Christian Villanueva is on the 40-man, but will be out of options in 2016. He has no chance of either a September call-up or a spot on the Winter roster. They could also release one or more of Beeler, Jokisch, Medina or Schlitter.

Hope you're right about a Contreras call-up---it would be interesting, but there are hurdles.

Beeler and Jokisch have 2016 options. Possible that either could be taken off winter 40-man and exposed to a waiver claim or the Rule 5. (No reason to "release" them as they would not be 6-year minor league free agents). But, considering depth issues in upper minors, seems unlikely at this point. We'll see how off-season 40-man shakes out soon. Always a fun topic.

Exposing either to a waiver claim in September to get Contreras to majors this season? Don't see that. Perhaps to make room for an August trade guy? Maybe, but not for Contreras to sit and get service time.

Villanueva seems a good bet to be traded in off-season. He has some value. But why expose Villanueva to a waiver claim in September just to bring up Contreras to sit/service time in September.? Don't see that either.

Schlitter is doing okay at Iowa, but Medina seems ahead of him now in the Iowa shuttle. We know there will be September pitching call-ups. Richards (if not claimed), Wada, who else? Edwards? Could be. Rosscup. Guessing we see either Schlitter or Medina, maybe both. If not, to get Contreras up? Don't see it.

Beeler and Jokisch have 2016 options. Possible that either could be taken off winter 40-man and exposed to a waiver claim or the Rule 5. (No reason to "release" them as they would not be 6-year minor league free agents). But, considering depth issues in upper minors, seems unlikely at this point. We'll see how off-season 40-man shakes out soon. Always a fun topic.

Exposing either to a waiver claim in September to get Contreras to majors this season? Don't see that. Perhaps to make room for an August trade guy? Maybe, but not for Contreras to sit and get service time.

Villanueva seems a good bet to be traded in off-season. He has some value. But why expose Villanueva to a waiver claim in September just to bring up Contreras to sit/service time in September.? Don't see that either.

Schlitter is doing okay at Iowa, but Medina seems ahead of him now in the Iowa shuttle. We know there will be September pitching call-ups. Richards (if not claimed), Wada, who else? Edwards? Could be. Rosscup. Guessing we see either Schlitter or Medina, maybe both. If not, to get Contreras up? Don't see it.

I think next year's rotation depth will be interesting. Assuming no trades, Pierce Johnson, Rob Zastrynzy and Ryan Williams will be at AAA. Edwards might be in the bullpen or rotation as well. Turner could be the 6th guy/long man with the Cubs. Underwood, Tseng, Blackburn, Skulina? and Torrez could be in AA. It might be to the point where fringe guys like Beeler and Jokisch won't be needed.

I think Villaneva could get you a bullpen guy or maybe somebody like Utley as a PTBNL, so I doubt they will release him.

The Sept callups will be really interesting. How many bullpen guys will get call? Olt, Baez, Szczur would seem like the position players that will come up. Maybe a cup of coffee for Villanueva too.

Mr. anti-BABIP Almora also has both two hits and a walk. Who'd have guessed that a biggish guy with a 34K/21BB/289AB ratio would be needing a hot day to reach .290 OBP. If I'm calculating correctly, his two hits now get him to .255 BABIP. Maybe it's all just bad luck? Maybe a Camp Colvin and he'll do better next year? Maybe it's just a lot of groundouts to 2B? Maybe it's just a very slow bat?

This a guy who will be a six-year minor league free agent at end of season (a misnomer because it takes 7 seasons, 6 full and a partial season, typically). Of course, he will be rostered this time around.

Will be interesting to see if he develops as a back-up, or a Nick Hundley-type regular, or something better or worse.